Navion Rangemaster in Australia

[gerry111]

I note that the sole surviving (out of only two imported) Navion Rangemaster aircraft is up for auction on Sunday 31st May 2015 at Moorabbin. It is the one owned by Victor Kaye OAM since 2000. May the classic 53 year old aircraft find a good home.


NAVION RANGEMASTER IN AUSTRALIA by Geoff Goodall tells the history.

[Squawk7700]

What are the auction details and are there any others also?

[gerry111]

Squawk7700,


I saw the auction advert in last Saturday's 'Sydney Morning Herald'.


"THE AMAZING COLLECTION OF VICTOR KAYE O.A.M."


"Navion Rangemaster Aircraft. A 1937 Rolls Royce, Live steam Models...."


This aircraft is VH-WWE. The other was VH-WWL that was destroyed in a hangar fire at Roma many years ago.


The auctioneers are 'Philip Caldwell Auctioneers' and it will be held at 239 Wickham Rd, Moorabbin VIC. on Sunday 31st May 2015 at 11am.


0411 529 414 or 039 543 2767 www.fineauctions.biz (http://www.fineauctions.biz)


If you attend, please let me know how it all went!


The Navion Rangemaster. The civilian pilot's post war Mustang... :):):)

[Desert Flower]

First aircraft I refueled when I started in 1988. Did see it a couple of times throughout the years after. Was painted red if I remember correctly.

DF.

[Fris B. Fairing]

Here is the link to the history mentioned in post #1

Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site (http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/narratives/navionrangemaster.pdf)

[Duck Pilot]

I had an opportunity to fly in WWE back in about 1988 after my boss at the time purchased the aircraft.

It was an experience that I will never forget!!!!!!!

Great aircraft, any idea what it's worth?????

[Stationair8]

Did it sell at auction?

[myshoutcaptain]

My grandfather was a proud owner of WWE in the 1970s. Here are some pictures I have. They are stamped June 1973. I believe they are from Bankstown and Camden. He later sold it and bought a Piper Aztec.

http://s4.postimg.org/n19w2juy1/image.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/n19w2juy1/)

http://s4.postimg.org/jrvgw36uh/image.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/jrvgw36uh/)

http://s4.postimg.org/op91h78tl/image.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/op91h78tl/)

I'd really appreciate the outcome of the auction and where she now lives.

Thanks for posting.:ok:

[roundsounds]

I recall him dropping into Camden Aero Club for a cuppa every now and then. He mentioned the aircraft was owned by an undertaker previously. The cabin was able to accommodate a coffin.

[gerry111]

Duck Pilot; Stationair8 and myshoutcaptain,

I've today left a phone message with the auctioneer and will report back if or when I receive news.

WWE remains registered to Victor Kaye so I'm hoping that it will return to the air.

Thanks for your photos, myshoutcaptain. Did you ever go for a flight in WWE like Duck Pilot?

Interesting info, roundsounds! :):):)

[Dora-9]

Does anyone know please - is this Victor S. Kaye the same one who was an Ansett F.27 Captain in the 1970's??

[Capt Casper]

Gerry III’s post 28 May reminds me of an incident when the aircraft were first imported.
The Yellow one which subsequently became VH WWE was almost lost the same way.
The Australian C of A was conducted by Parkes Aviation at Bankstown. The chief engineer at the time was Bob Vale.
Fuel had been spilt under the aircraft, which I think was on Jacks at the time in the old Fairy hangar [which now houses the emergency services fleet].
I think a hammer was slid across the floor resulting in a flash fire under the aircraft. From memory, no damage was done but that was more good luck than anything else.
Parkes Aviation was quite a large operation for a few years. Does anyone know what happened to it?
I think the principal was Alan Parkes and I think he came from Bombala NSW. He owned some very nice aeroplanes at the time including a Beech Staggerwing VH UXP [?] and a new C180.

[gerry111]

WWE didn't sell at last Sunday's auction. If anyone is interested in buying it, please PM me for the owner's phone number.

[B772]

Dora-9

Victor S Kay OAM and Vic Kaye ex AN F27 Captain are one in the same.

(Remember him not wanting to do a F27 take-off about the time of a scheduled nuclear weapon test on the Mururoa Atoll)

[myshoutcaptain]

I was not yet a twinkle in my fathers eyes. I'd love the opportunity to meet an owner and go for a flight. :ok:

[Duck Pilot]

Gerry, where is WWE currently located do you know? Might be interested but not at the price suggested on one website.

It's an old aeroplane and it's going to cost a few bucks for any new owner to keep it airworthy. Might be a one of a kind, but sadly it could end up as being a beer can. Owner needs to be realistic about the price.

Sadly this is indicative with most of the GA old fleet.

When the SIDs deadline comes up, just watch how many Cessna's become scrap metal, or aviation trader becomes full of cheap give away aeroplanes.

[Dora-9]

B772:

Victor S Kay OAM and Vic Kaye ex AN F27 Captain are one in the same.Thanks for that. He was one of the most eccentric captains (and that's putting it mildly) that I ever flew with.

[gerry111]

Duck Pilot,

I'm not sure. I'm guessing that Mr Kaye's collection was auctioned at Moorabbin as that was perhaps close to WWE's home? I understand that he lives at Maldon.

I agree with your comments. It's very sad to see some of the aircraft that we grew up with and enjoyed now being scrapped.

I suppose that is known as 'progress'.

[Avid Aviator]

I see WWE sold in Victoria last February.
Anyone know where she is now - Camden?
Thanks